Asking replacement blood donor a crime: SBTC

To find hospitals who insist on a replacement blood donor from the patients' relatives, the Maharashtra State Blood Transfusion Committee is conducting a survey. According to the officials, insisting for a replacement blood donor is a crime

To find those hospitals who are insisting on a replacement blood donor from the patients’ relatives, the Maharashtra State Blood Transfusion Committee (SBTC) is conducting a survey.

According to the officials, insisting for a replacement blood donor from the patient’s family is a crime.

The SBTC has appealed the people, to come forward and file a complaint in case if the hospitals insist on a replacement blood donor.

If a patient is hospitalised and requires a blood transfusion, then the hospital asks the family members to arrange for the replacement blood donor. The aim is to make sure that the blood requirement is maintained. However, according to the Maharashtra State Blood Transfusion Committee (SBTC) officers, insisting for a replacement blood donor is a crime.

While speaking to My Medical Mantra, Dr Arun Thorat, Director, Maharashtra SBTC, said, “In many cases, the hospital asks for a replacement blood donor after providing the blood to the patients. However, this is not permitted. We already have issued the guidelines to all the private and government hospitals, on not to insist for a replacement blood donor.”

Adding further, he said, “We have heard a number of times from the relatives that the hospital insisted on a replacement blood donor, or asked the family to arrange blood from outside. However, we have not received a complaint as yet. If we receive a complaint, we will take necessary action.”

To find out which hospitals are insisting on a replacement blood donor, and not following the guidelines, the SBTC has started a survey across the state.

“My humble appeal to the common people is, please come forward and file a complaint if the hospital insists on a replacement blood donor,” added Dr Thorat.

A few months ago, Maharashtra SBTC sent a notice to all the blood banks, directing them to display information on the availability of blood and price in the front as well.